Fastener



Feb M m36 D; A. BRENNAN 'Z FASTENER Filed Jan. 2, 1931 Patented Feb. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 27 Claims.

The invention relates generally to improvements in fasteners for binding paper together,

' such as letters in a file; and more particularly to a new and improved fastener including a base having spaced prongs at its ends adapted to extend through apertures in the papers, and a compressor having similarly spaced apertures adapted to receive said prongs, the ends of the latter being adapted to be bent downwardly and clamped to said compressor.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved fastener of the type referred to, which is more ellicient in use and is simpler and quicker to manipulate than prior structures.

Another object is to provide the compressor with novel latches which are readily rotatable over the bent down prongs at or near their lines of bend.

Another object is to provide the compressor with novel latches which are adapted to rotate over the prongs when the latter are bent down flat, either outwardly or inwardly of the compressor.

Another object is to provide the compressor with novel latches which are readily rotatable over the bent down prongs when the latter are bent either outwardly or inwardly of the compressor, said latches being arranged to remain yieldably in position, ready to be rotated over said prongs.

Another object is to provide means on the latches for binding the prongs to the compressor.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent as the description proceeds, taken with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the improved fastener, shown attached to a binding folder.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental longitudinal sectional view,^taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

40 Fig. 3 is a fragmental view of the fastener illustrated in Figs. l and 2, showing the prongs bent inwardly.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of another modified form of fastener, in binding position.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the fastener shown in Fig. 8, in open position.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another modified form of fastener.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawing particularly, the fastener constituting one embodiment of the invention comprises a base I6 provided on its ends with spaced prongs I'I, adapted to pass through similarly spaced perforations in the papers (not shown). Preferably,

the prongs I'I are substantially less in width than the body of said base and are struck up substantially at right angles thereto.

The base I6 normally is positioned to lie ush against the bottom of the file papers, or be se- 5 cured to a backing sheet I8, and a compressor I9 formed with perforations 2I, preferably round or arcuate, in opposite ends, for receiving the latches 22 and the prongs I'I, is adapted to be placed against the top of the file papers, or secured to a backing sheet I 8a. The rotatable latches 22 are arranged on opposite ends of the compressor for movement over the prongs when the latter are bent down against the compressor. These latches preferably are secured to the compressor by bushings or hollow rivets 23 extending through axially aligned openings in the latches and compressor. The ends of the bushings are flanged and lie against the latches on one side, and the compressor on the other, to hold them operatively together. To use this compressor as a permanent part of a binding folder, such as shown at I8-I3a, the bushings are elongated and extend through the folder portion I8a, and the flanges then lie against the latches and binder.

Each latch 22 preferably is provided with an elongated lip 24. The corners 25 of said lips preferably are turned up to facilitate easy engagement of the latter over the bent down prongs. A depression is also provided on the opposite end from the lip on each latch, such as at 26, to engage selectively with complemental depressions 2'I, one inwardly and one outwardly of each opening in the compressor to retain the latch yieldingly in place. The compressor I6 is provided with struck up portions 28 to provide retaining elements to hold the latches bound to Athe bent down prongs, thus providing positive locking means.

The base I6 preferably is provided with tangs 29 which may be pressed through and engaged against a backing member, such as that shown at I8 in Fig. 2, or they may be left flat in the base to use against file papers without piercing a back- 45 ing sheet.

The form of fastener illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a two part compressor I9a, pivotally connected at the center and having spaced openings 2Ia, preferably circular, one at each end, 50 .and a base having spaced prongs I'I, adapted to `extend through said openings and be bent downwardly against the compressor. 'I'he ends of the vcompressor are provided with lips 22a to form latches to bind the prongs to ythe compressor.

A plate 32 may be connected or secured to the bottom of the compressor to provide means to hold the parts of the compressor in alignment during the operations of moving the compressor to engage or disengage the locks from the prongs. 'Ihe plate 32 may be dispensed with in some instances.

The form of fastener shown in Fig. 6 is substantially similar to that shown in Figs. 4 and 5, except that in this instance, vthe prongs II'd are adapted to be bent `inwardly toward each other, and the latches 22h are arranged to engage said prongs in that bent down position.

Although various exemplary forms of the improved fastener have been illustrated in the -accompanying drawing and described in detail in the foregoing specification, it is obvious that features of the present invention may 'be yincorporated in other fasteners of the general type shown, or otherwise varied in structural detail and arrangement 'without departing 'from the spirit -of the invent-ion and the scope fof the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a paper fastener, in combination, an elongated member having an Yopening vat each-end adapted to each :receive la prong, `latches mounted one in each 'opening for movement one over each of said prongs, a lip on each lock, vand a flared portion on each lip adapted to lfacilitate movement of said latches into position over the respective prong.

2. In a paper fastener, in combination, an elongated -member having an opening at each end adapted to receive a prong, latches mounted one in each opening for movement one over each of said prongs, and a -lip en each latch.

3. -In a paper fastener, in combination, an elongated Ymember having an opening at each end adapted Ato each receive va prong,'latchesmounted one in each opening for movement-oneover each of said prongs, a lip von each latch, and co-operating means on said member and on vsaid latches adapted to retain Ysaid vlatches in position over the respective prong,

4. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, Yan elongated base 'having spaced prongs one on each end, said prongs lbeing adapted to be vinserted through said openings and vthen bent ldown against said compressor, `and locking means mounted in lsaid openings adapted torotate over said prongs in bent down -position, said rotation being through a plane 'substantially lparallel with said bent down position Yof said prongs.

5. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having 'spaced 'openings one in each end, an elongated base 'having spaced prongs one on each end, said prongs being adapted to be inserted through said openings and then bent down against said compressor, retaining means on said compressor, and locking means on said compressor adapted to rotate about vsaid openings over said prongs in bent do-Wn position into engagement with said retaining means, said rotation being through a plane .substantially parallel with said bent 'down position of said prongs.

6. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, an .elongated :base having spaced `prongs one on each end, said prongs 'being-adapted to be inserted through said openingsand then bent down against said compressor, and `latches on said compressor `one rotatably Imounted iin each of said openings, one adapted to move over each of said prongs in bent down position.

7. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, an elongated base having spaced prongs one on each end, latches on said compressor one mounted in each of said openings, each latch having an opening in axial alignment With the associated opening in said compressor, said prongs being adapted to be inserted through said openings .and then lbent down against said compressor, and means on said latches to engage vover said prong when said latches are moved about their mountings.

v8. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, an elongated base having spaced -prongsone-on each end, said prongs being adapted tobe inserted through said openings and then bent down against said compressor, latches on said compressor one rotatably mounted in .each of .said openings, one .adapted to move over one of said prongs in bent down position, and means -to .retain yieldingly said latches in .position over said prongs.

9. A .paper v'fastener comprising, .in combination, a compressor .having an opening, a base having .a prong insertable through said Aopening .adapted to be bent down over .said compressor, and means rotatable in the plane Vof the keeper vmounted in said opening 'adapted to. engage said bent ldown prong to retain said vtongue :in position.

10. A paper .fastener comprising, in combination, .a compressor having an opening, a'base hav- .ing a prong adapted tobe inserted through said opening and bent down over .said compressor, and means in said o-pening rotatable in the plane of the keeper adapted to engage .over said bent down tongue to retain said prong in position.

v1.1. A .paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having Aspaced opening-s one in each end, a base having spaced prongs f:one on 'each end, latches on said keeper, one :mounted in each of said openingss, each of said latches .having an opening in axial Aalignment with the opening in which :it is mounted, said prongs bering adapted to be inserted through said axially Aaligned openings and then bent down 'against the compressor, a lip on each latch adapted to move f :over the respective prong in bent .down position when rthe latches are moved about their mountings, and an upwardly flared `portion onfeach of 4said vlips adapted to facilitate .movement of the lips over the respective underlying prong.

.12. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a .compressor .having spaced openings one nreach end, va basehaving spaced prongs one .on each end, latches on said compressor, ,said :prongs .being :adapted to be inserted one .through each Yof :said :openings and then bent down against the compressor, a lip on each latch adapted to move over ethe respective prong in `bent :down position upon movement of the latches, and an upturned portion on each of said lips adapted to facilitate movement of the lips over the respective underlying prong.

13. A paper fastener comprising, in .combination,.a compressor having an.openinga base having a prong adapted to be inserted through `said .opening and bent down over said compressor, and rotatable means mounted in said opening adapted to engage over said vbent down prong to retain said prong in position.

14. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings-onein each end, arotatable element mountedY inv each of said openings, said rotatable elements each having an opening in axial alignment withthe respective opening insaid keeper, a base having spaced prongs one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said openings and then bent down substantially flat, and means on said aligned rotatable elements adapted to engage over said bent down prongs to retain said prongs substantially ilat.

15. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a plate having spaced openings one in each end, a two part latch, one part pivotally mounted at one end in each of said openings, the opposite end of said latch parts being movably guided in said plate, a base having spaced prongs one on eachend, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said openings and then bent down against said latch parts inwardly of the openings, and means on said latch parts to engage in unison over said bent down prongs.

16. A paper fastener comprising, in. combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, an elongated base having spaced prongs one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted one through each of said openings and then bent down against said compressor, latching means mounted in said openings adapted to rotate over said prongs in bent down position, and means on said latching means to engage beneath means on said compressor upon engagement of said latching means over said prongs.

17. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, an elongated base having spaced prongs one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted one through each of said openings and then bent down against said compressor, latching means mounted in said openings adapted to! rotate over said prongs in bent down position, and means on said latching means to engage beneath means on said compressor upon engagement of said latching means over said prongs, said rotation being through a plane substantially parallel with said bent down position of said prongs.

18. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, an elongated base having spaced prongs one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted one through each of said openings and then bent down against said compressor, double walled latches on said compressor adapted to rotate one around each of said openings with one Wall of each locking means over the underlying prong to bind the respective tongue to said compressor, said rotation being through a plane substantially parallel with said bent down position of said prongs.

19. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, a base having spaced prongs, said tongues being adapted to be inserted one through each of said openings and then bent down against said compresso-r, rotatable locks on said keeper, one adapted to move over one of said prongs in bent down position, and means to retain yieldingly said latches in position over said prongs.

20. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, a base having spaced prongs, said tongues being adapted to be inserted one through each of said openings and then bent down against 'saidcompresson rotatable latches on said com- -pressor,one adapted to move over one of said prongs in bentdown position, and means on the compressor and on each latch adapted to cof-operate to retain yieldingly said latches in position overV the prongs..Y w

21. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings, one in each end, a base having spaced prongs one at each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said openings and then bent down against said compressor, latching means on said keeper adapted to rotate about said openings over said prongs in bent down position, means to retain the latchi'ng means in position over said prongs, and means to hold said latching means tightly against the prongs to hold said prongs flat against the compressor.

22. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, a base having spaced prongs one on each end, latches on said compressor one mounted in each of said openings, each of said latches having an opening in axial alignment with the opening in which it is mounted, said prongs being adapted to be inserted through said axially aligned openings and then bent down against the compressor, a lip on each latch adapted to move over the respective prong in bent down position when the latches are moved about their mounting, an upwardly flared portion on each lip adapted to facilitate movement of the lips over the respective underlying prong, and means to retain said lips in position over said prongs.

23. In a paper fastener, in combination, an elongated member having an opening at each end adapted to receive a prong, latches mounted one in each o1 said openings for rotation into and out of engagement with said prongs, and retaining elements on the elongated member one adapted to co-operate with and hold each of saidv latches in position over the respective prong.

24. In a paper fastener, in combination, an elongated member having an opening at each end adapted to receive a prong and a depression adjacent each opening, latches mounted one in each of said openings for rotation into and out of engagement with said tongues, and a projection on each latch adapted to engage in the respective depression to retain the latch in position over the respective prong.

25. In a, paper fastener, in combination, an elongated member having an opening `at each end adapted to each receive a pro-ng, latches mounted on said member, for movement into and out of engagement one over each of said prongs, a lip on each latch, and a flared portion on each lip adapted to facilitate movement of said latches into engagement over the respective prong.

26. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, an elongated plate having spaced openings one in each end and a slot intermediate said openings, a two part latch, each of said parts having an opening at one end in axial aligmnent with and rotatably mounted in said openings in said plate, the opposite ends of said latch parts being movably connected with said slot, a base having spaced prongs one on each end, said prongs being adapted to be inserted through said aligned openings and then bent down against the latch parts, and means on said latch parts adapted to move in unison over said prongs in bent down position.

27. A paper fastener comprising, in combination, a plate having spaced openings one in each 4 :mams

said plate and han bent against .the latch parts, and means said Latch parts adapted fto me in unison met said prongs im L bent down position.

A. BRENNAN. 

